So-called mermaid food is increasingly popular thanks to its Instagram-friendliness, and Southern Califonian restaurant Mason's Den has capitalized on the phenomenon with color corn on the cob. The chromatic elotes, a Mexican street dish that's essentially a cob of corn served on a stick, come in several different colors that make them social media stars over the course of multiple visits to Mason Den's outdoor market.
The elotes from Mason's Den come in in five different varieties: the Mermaid Cob, the Hot Cheetos Cob, the Unicorn Cob, the Cheese Cheetos Cob, and the Takis Cob. The picture perfect corn snacks are currently being sold at Mason Den's outdoor locations at the 626 Night Market as well as the OC Night Market.
Chromatic Cobbed Corn
Mason's Den's Colorful Cobs Turn Elotes Bright
Trend Themes
1. Mermaid Food Trend - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create unique and visually appealing food items that cater to the Instagram generation.
2. Instagram-friendly Food - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop food products or dishes that are visually stunning and highly shareable on social media platforms.
3. Colorful Food - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Experiment with food coloring and natural ingredients to create vibrant and eye-catching food items.
Industry Implications
1. Restaurant Industry - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate visually appealing and Instagram-friendly dishes into restaurant menus to attract millennial and Gen Z diners.
2. Food and Beverage Industry - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop and market unique food and beverage products that can gain popularity through social media exposure.
3. Street Food Market - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce colorful and unique street food options to capture the attention and interest of urban foodies.